I can’t help but notice I wasn’t tagged in your post, what I’m not fun Johnny? I don’t make you laugh?
Hand’s down # 1 “fun” bar with food is Johnny Mac’s in Asbury Park. In today’s day and age where are you getting legit pours of bloody mary’s or mimosa’s for $ 3.00 with a FREE omelette. (or free pizza after 2pm with purchase of a drink) Also they have free Halloween candy (if you can find it’s hiding place) ski ball, and enough trivia written on the walls to keep Alex Trebec busy for a few days. This is all without any of their theme nights or entertainment or the out side. This place is FUN !!
Second “fun” bar with food is Murphy’s in Rumson. It’s fun appeal is in the fact that it is a hidden gem. Plus any bar with a good shuffle board table is a good spot for me!!
NJ in general seems to be the Hibachi capital of the world. So many good and fun Hibachi places around it’s hard to just pick one.
Restaurant and good bar scene that is fun, Porta. I’m not a big fan of the place in general but it is fun.
Family Fun, I’m going to give a pitch for a chain, Texas Roadhouse. Anytime you can throw food items on the floor (peanut shells) and the staff does line dancing plus they have several things geared towards kids like an all you can eat ice cream bar. It’s a fun place even if it’s not my particular kind of fun.
Sunday Game Day Fun, Fox and Hound Menlo Park Mall. It’s a sports bar / restaurant with pool tables plenty of TV’s and dart boards etc. Good place to hang with some friends and watch the games.
Shore Fun, I’m going with Rooney’s Crab House and Avenue in Pier Village. Although I think Rooney’s is over priced anymore it’s still one of my favorite beach front restaurants. I truly enjoy dining when the back dining room is wide open with that ocean breeze. The outdoor bar was one of the first of it’s type in the area and when they have entertainment it’s a great place to sit and enjoy some cocktails on the beach.
Avenue Roof Top is in a league all it’s own. Honestly I’m a bit too old for that scene anymore but I certainly enjoyed many a nights at the Roof Top lounge there, something you should experience at least once.
Formal Fun; I’m going with the Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange NJ. This isn’t a typical “fun” place, but they do have an open kitchen where you can watch the masters at work, plus the dinning room sit’s upon a large hill small mountain overlooking Northern Jersey with breathtaking views. Always a scary treat when a small plane flies by, you swear it’s coming right into the dining room.
On the same line I’m throwing in The Manor in West Orange for the Friday night seafood buffet. Perhaps this is more personal for me since my grandmother use to love this place and I’ve been going since I was a child. There is something I enjoy about a throw back, men must wear jackets, and an all you can eat lobster buffet. It’s truly one of a kind and a very fun night.
One more north Jersey “fun” place is Sammy’s Cider Mill, Mendham. Similar to Murphy’ s above if you don’t know it’s there, well then you don’t know it’s there. The basement bar and casual yet formal atmosphere makes for a fun night and an excellent meal.
That’s all I can come up with now, will check back and add some if I think of any more.
